Premier League star forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate and may face prison

Granit Xhaka, the Switzerland national team star and Sunderland player, will stand trial on suspicion of forging a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The investigation is being conducted in the canton of Lucerne and centers on a certificate he allegedly received from a doctor. Xhaka denies the allegations, and an expert estimates a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Granit Xhaka, the Switzerland national team and Sunderland midfielder from the Premier League, will stand trial on suspicion of forging a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The criminal investigation, conducted in the canton of Lucerne, focuses on events during the coronavirus pandemic. According to reports, in 2021 Xhaka missed a friendly match after contracting the virus, and at that time it was reported that he was not vaccinated. In March 2022, it was reported that he had been vaccinated, and authorities are now examining the circumstances under which the certificate was obtained. The investigation developed after police raided the clinic of a doctor suspected of issuing the certificate in 2023. Xhaka denies the allegations and claims he has medical documentation supporting his version. His spokesperson stated that the player is cooperating with the authorities. A criminal law expert explained that a conviction for document forgery could lead to a fine or a prison sentence of up to five years, but noted that a first offense might result in a more lenient punishment. Xhaka is expected to be questioned in early October.